Walter's Lament

"We're an ignorant nation right now. We're not really capable I do not think---the majority of our people---of making the decisions that have to be made at election time and particularly in the selection of their legislatures and their Congress and the presidency, of course. I don't think we're bright enough to do the job that would preserve our democracy, our republic. I think we're in serious danger." ---former CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite

For once I agree with something Mr. Cronkite has said. Unfortunately, what he is saying is based upon his elitist intellectualism and has little basis in the real world. Walter, it should be known, is a socialist. When he says he thinks people aren't smart enough to make the right choices he is talking about the rejection of anthill politics where the common good is achieved through decree.

So, why do I agree with any part of what Uncle Walter said? Well, I agree because our electorate, myself included, is very naive. We have forgotten what tyranny looks like. We have fogotton what freedom is worth because we wake up with it every day. We have lost touch with the fact that we are a good country, primarily because we were founded by good people. Our voters have lost track of the fact that human nature is by definition begging to be corrupted.

Now, when Walter says we are ignorant he thinks it is because we do not completely embrace socialist notions. I say we are ignorant because we embrace any of them.